"The Rise of Africa" is under the patronage of Sir James Mancham, Founding President of the Republic of Seychelles and member of the ICD Advisory Board
The year 2010 serves as a milestone in African history, presenting an excellent opportunity to take a look back at the continent's achievements, and consider the next steps for addressing its remaining challenges, along with those emerging on the horizon.Over the past five decades, significant effort has been put into Africa's development on multiple fronts, ranging from economic growth to social and political stabilization. However, with the rapid economic and political trend towards a global society, and the arrival of new global challenges, such as climate change, the water scarcity, and the growing gap between rich and poor, there is now more than ever a dire need for innovative new strategies to ensure an equitable and sustainable future for the African continent.
"The Rise of Africa: Innovative Strategies and Progressive Thinking for Africa's Renaissance", will explore the range of new ideas and initiatives being implemented in support of Africa’s development, and assess the challenges and opportunities that will present themselves to the African continent in the near future.
The ICD is proud to present “The Rise of Africa” under the patronage of Sir James Mancham, KBE, Former President of the Republic of the Seychelles.
Program Agenda
In particular, the Rise of Africa Conference will pursue the following specific aims:
- To analyze the current socio-economic and political situation in Africa, 50 years after the independence of many African states.
- To consider the role of Cultural Diplomacy in strengthening and promoting economic cooperation between African states and with other regions.
- To assess the role of good governance in the process of creating a stable socio-economic environment.
- To examine the role of specific stakeholders in reaching the Millennium Development Goals.
- To explore new strategies for progress towards the Millennium Development Goals in poverty, education, gender equality, child mortality, maternal health, HIV and other diseases, and environmental sustainability.
- To analyze the challenges and opportunities presented by the hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
- To encourage and promote the initiatives of young leaders to key decision-makers.
The following issues will be addressed and explored:
- The role of the international community in the development process in Africa, in particular the complex relationship between China and Africa. We will also be exploring the reciprocal relationship between economic interdependence and social stability.
- The “trade versus aid” argument and the extent to which Africa will be able to ensure its own stable economy following the consequence of the recent financial crisis.
- Good governance and the importance of effective policies and initiatives that tackle corruption and increasing transparency and accountability.
- Africa’s geopolitical significance and its growing role in the global trading market and international and regional governance institutions.
- The role of the private sector and the impact of foreign direct investment in Africa. In particular, the influence of Corporate Social Responsibility & Socially Responsible Investment on the efforts of private international actors in Africa.
- Intra-continental mobility and emigration, the impact of a large refugee populations, and the impact of so-called “brain drain”.
The CDA Participants and the ICD Team will follow the development of the 2010 World Cup closely and celebrate this special event during our social activities.
Conference Speakers
The speakers during the conference will include leading figures from international politics, academia, civil society and the private sector, from across the world.
Conference Participants
The conference participants will include young professionals and students, political and diplomatic representatives, scholars, journalists, civil society practitioners, economists, and other stakeholders in international relations from across the world.
Conference Location
The conference will be based at the ICD House, located on the historic Kurfürstendamm in West Berlin.
Certificate of Attendance
All participants of the conference will be awarded an official certificate of attendance at the end of the program. This certificate will confirm attendance and provide details of the speakers who took part during the program and the topics discussed.
Sustainable Network
Participants of the conference will become part of a growing international network of people from across the world with different fields of interest and levels of experience who share a commitment to intercultural exchange. Participants will be able to remain in touch with each other through the ICD Online Network. This network represents a medium through which members can exchange information on research, job opportunities, related events, and coordinate their own cultural exchange initiatives. The ICD will help to support the symposium participants in their future activities by providing guidance and advice on possible research topics and helping to support members who plan to organize their own cultural exchange initiatives.